Framed Chalkboard Menu

Framed Chalkboard Menu

Welcome to my BLOG!  And thank you for stopping by!  I would love it if you would FOLLOW ME BY EMAIL in the sidebar OR you can find me on FACEBOOK too!

I have wanted to make one of these for FOREVER!  My mom has one she made and it's always SO fun to see what's for dinner when go for Sunday dinners or holidays!  I LOVE the chalkboard look too!  So I FINALLY got around to making one of my own...and it didn't cost me a thing!

I started with a few supplies. 

Picture Frame (old thick frame i had used over and over around the house)

Chalkboard Paint
Pliers
Staple Gun
Plywood cut to size of frame


(I happened to have all of the above around the house so I didn't need to buy ANYTHING!)

I started by painting this frame the color I wanted.  I chose a dark rich brown. 

 But you could go with a pop of color like Pink or Teal or Lime Green!  (Depends on where you are putting it and what colors are in your decor)

Next - I cut a piece of plywood to size

THREE good coats of chalkboard spray paint and I let it dry REALLY REALLY well!






 


After removing any nails or staples remaining on the back of my frame....

I fit the board into its place.

I LOOOVE to use the staple gun!!!

It worked great to keep the board in place!











IT TURNED OUT SOOOOOOO AWESOME!  I LOVE IT!   And I couldn't even WAIT to try it out!  The board wasn't done until AFTER dinner!  And.....I put the menu up anyway :)

THANK YOU so much for stopping by my blog!  Be sure to sign up for Email Updates in the sidebar and I look forward to seeing you NEXT Time!
 
~Heather

Meatballs with Marinara Bow-tie Pasta

Meatballs with Marinara Bow-tie Pasta!

(HEALTHIFIED!  I know that's not a word...but it's MY WORD!)

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY!  I AM TRULY HAPPY THAT YOU ARE HERE!

I am SO BLOWN AWAY at how successful this blog is becoming...and who would have thought that I'd be a blogger? hmmmmm :)

Welcome to my blog and welcome back if you are a returning visitor!  I'd LOVE if you would stay awhile and click on 'follow' to become a follower!

 So this is MY healthy version of a meatball...FILLED with taste but FULL of nutrients and HEALTHY ingredients.  I saw a recipe on a cooking show...then started twisting it and changing it and even sent out a little different version of it to friends and family a couple months ago.  But this, I think WE GOT IT RIGHT! ;)

I let my 5 year old son pick out the pasta...he picked BOW-TIE!

Nutritional Info Per Serving:  About 450 calories with pasta and the sauce
Preparation Time: About 15 minutes
Servings: About 6  (2-3 meatballs per person)
                                                                                
1/2 - pound of 99% Fat Free Extra Lean Foster Farms Ground Turkey
1/2 - pound of 96/4% Fat Free Extra Lean Hamburger
1/2 - small onion, grated (I use a cheese grater so the kids don't taste chunks!)
3 - garlic cloves, grated (I use a small zester to make it almost like a mush that mixes flavor into the meat)
1 - large egg
1/4 - cup Italian dried bread crumbs (keep it in the freezer!  stays fresh longer!)
2 - tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (you could use 1 tablespoon of dried if you don't have fresh)
2 - tablespoons baby spinach, finely chopped
1/4 - cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
1 1/2 - teaspoons sea salt
1/2 - teaspoon ground pepper, freshly ground if you can.....
12 - oz of Bow-Tie Pasta (we use whole wheat)
26.5 - oz can of Hunt's Organic Traditional Pasta Sauce
1 - 2 - tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Start by heating up your  Extra Virgin Olive Oil in your large skillet over medium heat.  (I only use a small amount at the bottom of the pan - this oil is GOOD for you but ONLY in moderation.  

Play it by ear...but use as little as you think you can.)

 Next, start your water boiling for your pasta.

Now comes the FUN part.  Add the first ELEVEN ingredients to a large mixing bowl and USE YOUR HANDS to mix it all up!  Make sure you mix it really really good!

(TIP:  Take off any rings...it will get into EVERYTHING if you don't)

Now....ADD your PASTA to the water and cook Al Diente!  Should be about 10 minutes but read your package. :)

Then when it is all mixed through...kick up the heat on your skillet to medium high heat.  Start forming small meatballs and putting them in your hot oil.  (Bigger than a cookie ball, but smaller than a snow ball...LOL)  I don't know how to gage this!  But there isn't any exact science...you have all seen a MEATBALL before, right??? :)

Then brown them on all sides.  Make sure they get brown and cooked on the outside turning them pretty consistently.  It will cook for about 5-8 minutes or so. 

Your pasta should be just about done now too....toss it into the skillet with your meatballs and add your sauce.  Toss it altogether and WAAAAA LA!  Perfecto Italiano!!!  

 

 

 (My 5 year old son even ATE it with the green things in it because it was BOW-TIE's)

So THANK YOU once again.  WE hope you enjoy your dinner!

And I LOVE LOVE LOVE comments so be sure and leave us one!  See you tomorrow!

I linked up this recipe and wine review at....

Happy Go Lucky
House of Hepworths
A Glimpse Inside
Everyday Tastes
Paisly Passions

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps!!!

ALMOST 19,000 HITS and I haven't posted in a loooong time!  I am so very sorry...you convinced me to come back!  And here I go - coming back with a BESTIE!

Oh we were FEASTING tonight!  Now I know there are sooo many of these recipes out there and I was searching to try and find a new one....but I reverted right back to this one my hubby and I created together several years ago.  IT'S EASY!  AND....AMAZING & HEALTHY TOO!

Welcome to my BLOG and THANK YOU for popping by!  I would absolutely LOVE if you became a 'follower' by clicking in the left hand side bar and SUBSCRIBED to email updates too!

Prep Time:  15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 6

4 - Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 - 6 to 8 oz can of water chestnuts, drained

3/4 - cup of chopped green onions
1 - tablespoon of minced garlic
2 - tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 - cup peanut sauce
1 - head iceberg lettuce (you could use butter lettuce too)
salt & pepper (to taste)
soy sauce (to taste)

Start by heating your extra virgin olive oil at medium high heat in a large skillet.  Add your minced garlic toasting for just a couple minutes. 

Then I add my diced chicken to the pan to cook through.  Adding salt and pepper to taste of course!

 Meanwhile, chop your water chestnuts about half the size of your chicken pieces. 

After the chicken is cooked through add your chopped green onion & water chestnuts tossing everything together!



OH My goodness...my mouth is watering again....

Add your peanut sauce and stir until everything is evenly coated....and.....TASTE TEST!!!!

Carefully peel off each layer of your ice berg lettuce to make little bowls.

NOW...FILL it and splash with a dash of soy sauce on top! 

TIME TO ENJOY!  I serve mine with rice so the kids have something extra but I tell you what - these are one of my FAVORITE meals...EVER!

AND....DRUM ROLL PLEASE!  TASTY DELIGHTFUL HEALTHY GOODNESS!

Thanks again for stopping by my blog and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear and see your comments!  Come see me again!  


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~Heather